The Snake

• Chloe Buhagiar, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2022

Sweet is the swamp with its secrets,
Amber orbs rising above the murky surface,
Obsidian splits its narrow eyes with slits.
Coiled, intertwined, clotted,
Like the sweet song of sirens, poised out of mortal sight,
Overlapping chartreuse scales slick and rotted.
Steady yet sharp, it slithers along,
An outstretched hiss barely audible behind dagger-like fangs,
As it prepared to strike, recoiling and silencing its song.
There is no use to run or hide,
One false move and you will never again see the light of day.